AshBritt hires lobby firm to settle NJ lawmakers

AshBritt Inc. officials said a lobbying firm has been hired to help ward off pressure from state Democratic lawmakers questioning a lucrative debris-removal contract.

Jared Moskowitz, general counsel AshBritt, said Princeton Public Affairs Group will help the company “give a better understanding’’ of what transpired in the days and weeks after superstorm Sandy hit.

Critics said AshBritt charged more than local contractors for debris removal but Moskowitz said Thursday the prices “are below FEMA-approved prices from Hurricane Irene’’ and said none of the 43 towns that turned to AshBritt have complained about work quality.

Officials in some towns that didn’t use AshBritt said they saved money. “Towns not devastated by the storm that did not have the same cleanup mission and didn’t have the same urgency as some of the Shore towns and could shop around, but those comparisons of town experiences are apples and oranges,’’ Moskowitz said.

The lobbying firm was hired after Senate President Sweeney threatened to refer the contract to the Senate Legislative Oversight Committee, which has subpoena power.
“We want the opportunity to meet with any senator or assembly member to go over our service and answer all questions. Why wait for oversight committee and a formal vetting maybe six weeks from now? We’d be happy to answer all questions right now,’’ Moskowitz said.

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About Bob Jordan

Bob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.

2 Responses to AshBritt hires lobby firm to settle NJ lawmakers

“Jared Moskowitz, general counsel AshBritt, said Princeton Public Affairs Group will help the company “give a better understanding’’ of what transpired in the days and weeks after superstorm Sandy hit.”

A better understanding? I think what happened is obvious to all except the brain dead.

About the Authors

Bob JordanBob Jordan has covered state, county and muncipal governments for the past 10 years. He has also covered the gaming industry and has been a sports team beat writer for NHL, NBA and major league baseball teams.E-mail Bob

John SchoonejongenJohn Schoonejongen is state editor for Gannett New Jersey newspapers. He has reported and edited at New Jersey newspapers from Salem County to Passaic County, writing about everything from state politics to lost pigs on the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Born in Camden County, he still speaks with a southern New Jersey accent, much to his wife's annoyance.E-mail John

Michael SymonsMichael Symons has covered seven governors while working in Gannett's Statehouse Bureau -- a stint which actually only stretches back to 2000, but the door revolves quickly in New Jersey politics. He's co-author of the biography "Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power."E-mail Michael